Ironing table



Sept. 21, 1965 G. H. KLEINSORGE IRONING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1962 INVENTOR. GEORGE KLEIN-SURGE BY JITDR/VEY Sept. 1965 a. H. KLEINSORGE 3,206,881

IRONING TABLE Filed Nov. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE H. KlE/N50R6E ,47T ORA/E Y United States Patent 3,206,881 IRONING TABLE George H. Kleinsorge, 1155 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale, Ariz. Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,294 2 Claims. (Cl. 38-137) My invention relates in general to ironing tables and more in particular to a lightweight frame for an ironing table having a glass fiber sheet or the like top.

Ironing tables in recent years have included a metal top supported on retractable metal legs, so constructed and arranged that mechanism associated with the retractable legs is adjustable to control the height of the table. Conventionally, the top of the ironing table has been made of aluminum or relatively thin steel with a design of openwork to promote lightness without sacrificing strength. The table top normally is self-supporting and self-sustaining; also, it may be reinforced in part by the frame associated with the retractable legs. The metal top, however, has certain inherent disadvantages in that it must be covered with a relatively thick pad, it tends to extract heat rapidly from the iron and most important of all, it adds to the weight of the ironing table so that the ordinary woman finds it cumbrous to move from place to place.

In my co-pending application, Serial Number 98,939, filed March 28, 1961, now United States Patent No. 3,138,700, I disclosed an improved ironing table in which the top was a glass fiber sheet in the form of a relatively thin contiguous imperforate sheet, and in which electric resistance wires were suitably embedded between the top and bottom surfaces, so that when they were connected to a source of electric power, heat could be generated in the table top itself with the result that ironing could be accomplished faster and in which other advantages were obtained, including, particularly, lightness.

A table top formed of a glass fiber sheet, particularly when associated "with a source of heat as in my co-pending application, is not fully stable mechanically as is a preformed metal top of the type heretofore used. It has a strong tendency to buckle and twist with respect to its supporting frame, the frame also being heated, of course, by its close contact with the heated top. Uneven expansion or contraction also will produce at times a form of deformation commonly called oil canning, and this effect is very undesirable in the finished table. The result, therefore, is that while a table produced, in accordance with my prior invention above identified, should be capable of commercial production and when finished, to weigh several pounds less than existing conventional ironing tables. In actual fact, however, I have found that if a heated glass fiber sheet top is suitably supported by means of a conventional frame structure, the final product will have about the same weight as tables of the prior art.

The principal object of my present invention is the provision of an improved ironing table.

Another object is the provision of an improved frame for an ironing table having a plastic, or the like, top.

Still another object is to provide an improved ironing table with a heated glass fiber sheet top which embodies all of the desirable features of my prior table and also has an improved supporting frame whereby markedly to decrease the overall weight.

A further object is the provision of a lightweight frame construction supported by standard type retractable legs on the one hand, and a heated glass fiber sheet type of top; and in which such heated glass fiber sheet type top is free of buckling, twisting, oil canning and the like.

In the drawings I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a relatively small scale perspective view 3,206,881 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 showing the table with the legs in normal condition for ironing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective exploded view similar to FIG. 1 but with some of the parts broken away, including the top, to facilitate showing of the construction;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view as seen along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view looking upwardly along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 8 shows a modification of a longitudinal frame member.

Referring now to the drawings, the ironing table of the present invention includes a top indicated generally by the reference character 10, a supporting frame 11 and a retractable leg assembly 12.

The table top 10 includes a flat top portion 13 of generally rectangular shape over most of its surface, but having a pointed end 14 as shown particularly in FIG. 1. The top, also, has a contiguous peripheral downwardly extending integral flange 16. The flat top portion 13 and flange 16 are without perforation except for the provision of attaching holes as indicated at 17 at the right hand side of FIG. 2. The table top has embedded therein a plurality of resistance wires 18, interconnected at their ends as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and these wires together form a series of connected groups of heating elements series connected to an outlet 19 (FIG. 5) adapted for attachment to a source of electric power by means of a conventional household plug not shown. A switch 21 may also be used to open or close the heating circuit after connection to a source of power. By this means, the table top may be heated to a desirable temperature as explained in my said co-pending application.

The frame 11 comprises a pair of longitudinal parallel frame members 22 and 23, which have been shaped to the desired configuration such as by an extrusion technique. These longitudinal frame members 22 and 23 in the main embodiment are shown as extruded I-beams, but the shape may be modified within the scope of the invention. A peripherally disposed tubular frame member 24 is shaped to engage within the inside of the flange 16 and is engaged by the ends of the frame members 22 and 23 in the manner shown. Suitable attaching means 26, which may, for example, be rivets, screws or a weld joint, are provided to tie the frame members 22 and 23 and the peripheral tubular frame member 24 together. A plurality of tie rods 27, three in number in the embodiment shown, extending transversely through the frame members 22 and 23, through both the peripheral tubular frame member 24 and through the flange 16 are secured at their ends against displacement. One manner of attachment is by means of a U-shaped clip 28 with a hole in one leg of the U through which the rod 27 passes and a cap-like indentation in the opposite leg engaging the projecting end of the rod. When this U-shaped clip 28 is disposed at opposite sides of the flange 16, a firm, but resilient, attachment is provided. A leaf spring 29 is disposed between the tubular frame member 24 and the flange 16 to increase the resilience of the connection thereby to prevent deformation of the type commonly called oil canning due to uneven expansion or contraction of the top 10 when heated. At the ends of the table and at least one location intermediate the tie rods 27, metal attaching screws 31 extend through the flange and into the tubula frame member 24, one of the leaf springs 29 being inserted between the flange 16 and tubular member 24 as shown particularly at the right hand side of FIG. 5. The tie rods 27 also carry a U-shaped leaf spring 32 (FIG. 7), one end of the leaf spring 32 having apertured turned over ears for engaging the tie rods and the other end of said spring 32 engaging against the bottom surface of the ironing table top.

The retractable leg assembly 12 comprises legs 36 and 37 pivoted together intermediate their ends by means of a transverse pin 38, any usual arrangement at such pivot being usable because my invention is not particularly concerned therewith. The legs 36 and 37 have transverse floor engaging cross members 39 and 41, usually with rubber feet 42 to support the table firmly on the floor. The legs have top brackets 43 and 44 respectively each in pivotal engagement with transverse guide rods 46 and 47. The transverse guide rod 46, which may be tubular or solid, but preferably the former to save weight, is provided with end caps 48, each of which has an annular projection 49 (see FIG. 6) riding in the longitudinal guide way formed by the I-beams comprising the frame members 22 and 23. A latching member 51 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a cross rod 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) secured at its ends to the frame members 22 and 23. The latching member 51 has a plurality of bottom recesses 53 within which the transverse rod 46 is engaged to adjust the height of the table in a manner which will be de scribed. Another recess 54 is placed to receive the transverse rod 46 when the legs are entirely retracted to hold the ironing table in position for storage. The latching member 51 is spring pressed in a direction to engage the transverse rod 46 with a spring 56 which operates functionally between the latching member 51 and a transverse frame portion 57.

A wire like extension 55 (FIG. 3) from the latching member 51 extends outwardly beyond the frame member 23 at that side of the ironing table from which the user normally works. The projecting end of the extension 55 has a cap 59 in a position to be engaged readily by the fingers when extended under the edge of the table. This relation may be seen in FIG. 2. All that is necessary is for the housewife to extend her fingers under the edge of the table and lift upwardly on the cap 59 to raise the latching member 51 away from the transverse rod 46 and permit movement thereof. The transverse rod 47 is stationary as shown so that by merely moving the rod 46 the relative positions of the legs 36 and 37 may be changed to control the height or retract the legs entirely for storage.

In place of the I-beam as shown comprising the frame members 22 and 23, I may employ a simplified shape 123 as shown in FIG. 8 or any suitable shape which provides for the necessary strength and at the same time engages the end extensions of the transverse rod 146 to perform the necessary function of adjustably anchoring the bracket 43 at the top of the leg 37.

Preferably the entire frame assembly 11 and the entire leg assembly 12 are formed of a lightweight metal alloy such as an aluminum alloy except, of course, such hardware as screws and springs, which normally must be fabricated of metals having a higher modulus of elasticity.

The invention is subject to modification and redesign within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an ironing table (a) a shell-like reinforced plastic top including a planar top portion and a continuous downwardly projecting peripheral flange with inner and outer surfaces,

(b) a top supporting frame comprising a tubular portion having the shape of said tables periphery, said tubular portion engaging within said flange against said inner surface, and a pair of spaced longitudinal members having their ends in engagement with said tubular portion, said longitudinal members defining channels facing each other,

(0) tie rods extending transversely through said longitudinal frame members and engaging said flange, (d) spring means on said tie rods and resiliently engaging said planar top portion between said tabular portion and said peripheral flange to substantially prevent uneven deformation of said planar top portion.

2. In an ironing table,

(a) a glass fiber sheet top having a top surface and a continuous downwardly projecting flange with inner and outer surfaces,

(b) a top supporting frame including a tubular frame member extending entirely around the top in contiguous relation to the inner surface of said flange,

(c) spring means between the flange of said glass fiber sheet top and said tubular frame member,

(d) means for raising the temperature of said table top substantially above ambient room temperature,

(e) said spring means between said flange and tubular frame member preventing deformation of said glass fiber sheet top as a result of said heating, and

(f) retractable legs having top portions adjustably supported by said frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,694 6/29 Harter 108-159 2,325,493 7/43 Fay 219--19.7 X 2,596,465 5/52 Booth 38-437 X 2,606,275 8/52 Jocowitz 38-104.X 2,662, 319 12/5 3 Hortman. 2,896,347 7/59 Hortman. 3,015,176 1/62 Freeman 38140 X FOREIGN PATENTS 750,182 6/56 Great Britain.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner. 

1. IN AN IRONING TABLE. (A) A SHELL-LIKE REINFORCED PLASTIC TOP INCLUDING A PLANAR TOP PORTION AND A CONTINUOUS DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING PERIPHERAL FLANGE WITH INNER AND OUTER SURFACES, (B) A TOP SUPPORTING FRAME COMPRISING A TUBULAR PORTION HAVING THE SHAPE OF SAID TABLE''S PERIPHERY, SAID TUBULAR PORTION ENGAGING WITHIN SAID FLANGE AGAINST SAID INNER SURFACE, AND A PAIR OF SPACED LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS HAVING THEIR ENDS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TUBULAR PORTION, SAID LONGITIDUNAL MEMBERS DEFINING CHANNELS FACING EACH OTHER, (C) TIE RODS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THROUGH SAID LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS AND ENGAGING SAID FLANGE, (D) SPRING MEANS ON SAID TIE RODS AND RESILIENTLY ENGAGING SAID PLANAR TOP PORTION BETWEEN SAID TUBULAR PORTIN AND SAID PERIPHERAL FLANGE TO SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENT UNEVEN DEFORMATIN OF SAID PLANAR TOP PROTION. 